King’s neurosurgeon named Clinician of the Year

A professor of neurosurgery at King’s College Hospital has been named UK Clinician of the Year by The Brain Tumour Charity.

Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, who has worked at King’s for 11 years and is the lead surgeon for brain cancer at the hospital, was honoured for his work with brain tumour patients. The award recognised his contribution to improving patients’ quality of life and for conducting research to find new therapies.

When making their decision, The Brain Tumour Charity looked for a clinician who had shown an exceptional level of commitment in supporting the charity’s work, and had gone above and beyond to advance brain tumour treatments. The judging panel comprised patients, their relatives and charity representatives who collectively voted for a winner.

Dr David Jenkinson, from The Brain Tumour Charity, said, “As Chief Scientific Officer at the charity, I whole-heartedly believe that science is critical to defeating this disease. But I also believe that collaboration is key; everyone plays a part in making change happen and helping improve life for those affected by a brain tumour.

“That’s what Professor Keyoumars Ashkan is doing. Improving care and treatment through his position; he is committed to making a critical change and driving it forward. We are honoured that Professor Ashkan is the winner of the Clinician of the Year Award.”

On receiving the accolade, Professor Ashkan said, “It is an honour and true privilege to win this award as it is judged and decided by patients, carers, charities and public - all the people we work hard to serve.”

Professor Julia Wendon, Executive Medical Director at King’s College Hospital, added, “This award is deserved recognition of Professor Ashkan’s unfaltering commitment to his patients and his tireless research into advancing treatments for brain cancer.”

Professor Ashkan has made contributions to a number of largescale national clinical trials including the GALA BIDD and GALA5 trials, which used fluorescence (the emission of light) to diagnose brain cancer and guide tumour removal respectively. He was also the lead clinician for a trial which used immunotherapy to treat brain cancer and is currently working on trials investigating the imaging of tumours and radiotherapy for meningioma (tumours that form on membrane covering the brain and spinal cord just inside the skull).

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Notes to editors

1. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching hospitals, training over 900 dentists, 750 doctors and 300 nurses every year. The Trust is recognized internationally for its work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac, haemato-oncology, stroke and major trauma. On 1 October 2013, King’s took over the running of the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley and Orpington Hospital, as well as some services at Beckenham Beacon and Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup. The new enlarged organisation has over 10,500 staff and provides over 1 million patient contacts a year. 9,000 babies are delivered by our hospitals each year, and over 750 patients come to our Emergency Departments every day. For more information, please visit the website. You can also support the work of King’s College Hospital at www.supportkings.org.uk

3. The Brain Tumour Charity aims to double survival rates and halve the negative impact that brain tumours have on quality of life.

4. King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering collaboration between King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

King’s Health Partners is one of only six Department of Health-designated AHSCs in England and brings together an unrivalled range and depth of clinical and research expertise, spanning both physical and mental health. Our combined strengths will drive improvements in care for patients, allowing them to benefit from breakthroughs in medical science and receive leading edge treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.

Our partnership brings together...

three of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts;

one of the top 30 universities in the world;

services provided over 225 locations, including seven hospitals and community and mental health centres;

2.2 million patient contacts each year;

31,000 staff;

25,000 students;

a combined annual turnover of £2.8bn.

... to advance health and wellbeing by integrating world-class research, care and teaching.

5. At King’s College Hospital we fundraise for the best in treatment, research and health education, leading-edge equipment and improving well-being in our communities. By uniting doctors, nurses, researchers and academics with our supporters and volunteers we can provide the best patient care that goes above and beyond. Find out more and support us at supportkings.org.uk